Jose Mourinho admits Fenerbahce would 'never have reached Champions League final' after qualifying loss to Lille & insists Europa League is 'more adapted to our level'

Fenerbahce failed to qualify for the 2024-25 Champions League main competition after a late strike from Jonathan David helped Lille clinch the tie 3-2 on aggregate. After the third qualifying round loss, manager Mourinho made an honest confession that his team would have never made it to the final of the Champions League, let alone win it.

The Portuguese manager is now focusing on the club's campaign in the Europa League, although, he also criticised UEFA for changing the format of all their competitions. Both the Champions League and the Europa League will played in a new format from this season as all teams will play four home and away matches in a league competition before making it to the play-offs, with the old group-stage format scrapped.

Speaking to reporters at his post-match press conference, the 61-year-old said: "We lose economically because the Champions League obviously is an important boost to the club and we lose the chance to play against the biggest teams in the world. But we would never win the Champions League. We would never reach the Champions League final. Never."

When asked about UEFA's format changes, the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid coach added: "I don’t even know the reason why the Europa League is going to be this way. Same as Champions. I don’t know the reason why. We have to adapt it’s something new for everybody. You play eight matches, four at home, and four away. Against some opponents you only play at home, against some opponents, you only play away. It’s strange, but it is what it is. I think money makes decisions and we have to adapt to it.

"But as I was saying before, the Champions League would be great for the club, great for the players. But we would never have a chance to go very, very far in the competition and the [Europa] league is more adapted to our level. And I want to inject ambition in the team to do well."

Mourinho's Fenerbahce will be next seen in action on Sunday as they take on Goztepe in a Turkish Super Lig clash, where they will be aiming to extend their 100 percent start to the new domestic season.